This centenary edition by the Monks of Silverstream features:
- Entirely re-typeset text
- Corrected references
- New translations of all of Marmion’s Latin quotations
“The mysteries of the God-Man are not only models which we must consider: they contain moreover within themselves treasures of merit and grace. By His almighty virtue, Christ Jesus, ever-living, produces the inward and supernatural perfection of His states in those who are moved by the desire of imitating Him and placing themselves in contact with Him by faith and love.”
Dom Columba Marmion’s classic work Christ the Life of the Soul aims at showing forth “the fundamental character of the Christian life, according to the Gospel, the Epistles of St Paul, and the conclusions of theological teaching.” Marmion wanted to emphasize that the “Christian life is essentially supernatural, and can only be found in Christ,” who is both the model and cause of all holiness. Christ in His Mysteries continues this teaching, demonstrating that Christ’s life is manifested to us in the mysteries of His incarnation. Marmion shows why Christ’s mysteries are ours: He lived them for us; in them He is our Exemplar; and in them He unites us with Himself.
Following the great feasts of the Liturgical year, Marmion treats of traits of the Person of Jesus, Who comes to redeem the world by His Sacrifice, contemplating the mysteries of the God-Man. Of these pages, Dom Marmion says: “Written for Him, they speak only of Him. May they further reveal to souls the secret of the love of a God who appeared amongst us! May they lead souls to drink more often at the fountains of living water which have sprung up, for our salvation and joy, from the pierced Heart of Jesus!”
Blessed Columba Marmion (1858–1923) was born in Dublin, Ireland. Ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Dublin, he subsequently discerned a call to the monastic life and entered the Abbey of Maredsous in Belgium. After profession, he served as assistant novice master at his monastery, and in 1899 was appointed Prior of Mont César in Louvain, where he taught theology to the young monks. He became widely regarded as a retreat master and traveled across western Europe serving religious communities of all orders in this capacity. In 1909 he was elected Abbot of Maredsous, and consequently returned to the monastery of his profession. His trilogy of Christ the Life of the Soul, Christ in His Mysteries, and Christ the Ideal of the Monk, based on retreat conferences, became extremely popular, were translated into many languages, and received praise from numerous Popes. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II on September 3, 2000.
